The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is hosting its annual Spring Break Art Camp from April 1-4, offering children an opportunity to explore various artistic mediums at no cost. The camp, open to children ages 6 to 15, features professional artist-educators guiding participants through different creative projects each day.
OMFA Executive Director Jason Hayden said the museum has been offering art camps for about 18 years, with growing community interest.
“We are an educational institution, and we take that role seriously,” Hayden said. “We’ve offered camps for years, and now we’re committing to providing camps during both spring and fall breaks as well. We feel that there really is a community need for art education during these breaks that the kids get from school.”
The Spring Break Art Camp will feature a different project each day:
- April 1 – Glittering Glass: Participants will craft faux stained-glass pieces using vibrant colors and various techniques.
- April 2 – Vase of Wonders: Children will paint ceramic vases, transforming them into unique works of art.
- April 3 – Illuminant Glow: Participants will create luminaries using glass jars and a variety of materials.
- April 4 – Perplexing Printmaking: Campers will explore texture, pattern, and color through printmaking.
Each session lasts 2 hours, with a morning class from 9-11 a.m. and an afternoon class from 1-3 p.m.
Hayden said the camp always receives a strong response, often filling up quickly.
“There’s always large community interest, and we regularly see engagement from local agencies, homeschool groups, and community organizations like the Neblett Center and Girls Inc.,” Hayden said. “We take pride in making these programs accessible to everyone.”
OMFA Director of Education Rebecca Stoem, who is leading the camp for the first time, said she is excited to put her own spin on the projects.
“This is my first official art camp in this role, and it’s really exciting to introduce new ideas and approaches,” Stoem said. “For example, we’ve painted glass before, but this time we’re using ceramic vases, which will give kids a chance to work with a different texture.”
Stoem said one of the most rewarding aspects of the program is seeing generational connections to OMFA’s camps.
“There are parents who attended these camps as kids and now send their own children,” she said. “That just shows how meaningful these experiences are. It’s really important that today’s participants see that value so they can continue the tradition.”
OMFA remains committed to keeping the program free and open to all, which Hayden emphasized is a core value of the museum.
“‘Free and open to all’ is literally etched in stone in front of our building, and we take that very seriously,” Hayden said. “We secure funding through sponsorships so that our programs remain accessible to everyone.”
Reservations for the camp are required and can be made by contacting the museum at 270-685-3181 or [email protected]. OMFA, Kentucky’s second-largest fine art museum, is free to the public, with gallery hours from 12-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. More information is available at omfa.us.
